Basketball Game Preview: Tartan Titans vs. Harding Knights

The Tartan Titans and the Harding Knights will compete for holiday cheer at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this match.

Tartan is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering South St. Paul just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Tuesday. They took a 40-31 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Packers.

The loss doesn't tell the whole story though, as several players had good games. One of the most active was Mia Hernandez, who posted 11 points in addition to eight boards and three steals. That was a full 35.5% of Tartan's points, marking the third time in a row she's put up more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Anya Murphy, who had six points along with 11 rebounds and four blocks.

Meanwhile, Harding is still winless after their contest against North Lakes Academy on Tuesday, but the team can take solace in the fact it was the closest they've come to winning. They were three points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 41-38 heartbreaker at the hands of the Huskies. One positive for the Knights, at least, is that this was the most points they've scored all season.

Tartan now has a losing record at 3-4. As for Harding, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-5.

Everything came up roses for Tartan against Harding when the teams last played back in January, as the team secured a 75-46 victory. Will Tartan repeat their success, or does Harding have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.